ANALYSIS
OF FIVE TEXTS USING RUSSIAN FORMALIST
NUR HIDAYAH
FRAMEWORK
BT. ZAINUL
This project is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements Ibr a
Bachelor of Education with Honours
(Teaching English as a Second Language)
Faculty of Cognitive
UNIVERSITI
Sciences and Human Development
MALAYSIA
SARAWAK
(2009)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I would like to devote my sincere thanks to Allah for giving me
strength and determination throughout the journey of completing this study.
I would also like to extend my greatest gratitude to my supervisor, Mr. Ahmed
Shamsul Bahri for his unconditional guidance and support, his continuous patience
have
lost
I
Without
this
ray of sunshine, would
and precious time spent on this study.
in darkness. To other lecturers, their constructive advices are highly appreciated!
This gratitude also goes to the faculty and university for giving me the opportunity to
first
I
(where
bittersweet
journey
this
own
research
my
very
of completing
endure
).
the
throughout
things
way!
experienced many
To the beloved of my life, Hj. Zainul b. Ishak and Hjh. Asmah bt. Berahim, the great
distance never seems to be the problem for their undivided love and constant prayers.
This piece of work is for both of you. And to my sister, Juliana, thanks a lot for the
books!
This appreciation also goes to the best friend of mine, Andy. Thanks for always being
double
M&N
forgetting,
Not
for
I
to
the
the
of
members
there
me. owe you
world!
for their cheers and support that have kept me going.
Last but not least, this goes to my fellow
generosity.
iii
course mates for their
concern
and
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Acknowledgement
iii
Table of contents
iv
List of figure
viii
Abstract
ix
Abstrak
x
CHAPTER
I
1- INTRODUCTION
1.0 Chapter overview
I
1.1
Background
I
1.2
Statement of problem
3
1.3
Research objectives
4
1.4
Research questions
5
1.5
Significance
5
1.6
Operational definitions
1.6.1
1.6.2
1.6.3
of the study
of the study
of the terms
Structuralism
Russian formalism
Plot
6
6
6
7
1.7
Scope of the study
7
1.8
Chapter review
8
CHAPTER
2.0
2.1
2- LITERATURE
9
REVIEW
Chapter overview
9
Children narrative
9
iv
2.2
Russian Formalism theory on narrative
10
2.3
Structural pattern of narrative
13
2.4
Summary
19
CHAPTER
21
3- METHODOLOGY
3.0
Chapter overview
21
3.1
Research design
21
3.2
Texts selected for analysis
23
3.3
Instrument
3.4
Data collection
3.5
Data analysis
27
3.6
Limitations
29
3.7
Chapter review
for data collection:
theoretical
framework
26
procedures
of the study
CHAPTER 4- DATA ANALYSIS
24
30
AND DISCUSSION
31
4.0
Preview
31
4.1
Characters and their portrayal in the texts
31
4.1.1
Characters and their portrayal in Book the Second.
The Reptile Room
4.1.2
32
Characters and their portrayal in Book the Fourth:
The Miserable Mill
4.1.3
35
Characters and their portrayal in Book the Sixth:
37
The Ersuc Elevator
4.1.4
Characters and their portrayal in Book the Eight:
39
The Hostile Hospital
V
4.1.5
Characters and their portrayal in Book the Tenth:
42
The Slippery Slope
4.2
How the characters help to build the plot of the texts
4.3
How the plot and characters studied conform to Russian
45
48
Formalist framework
4.3.1 How the plot and characters in The Reptile Room
framework
to
the
conform
48
4.3.2 How the plot and characters in The Miserable Mill
framework
the
to
conform
50
4.3.3 How the plot and characters in The Ersatz Elevator
conform to the framework
4.3.4
51
How the plot and characters in The Hostile Hospital
conform to the framework
52
4.3.5 How the plot and characters in The Slippery Slope
framework
to
the
conform
4.4
53
The consistencies of this arrangement of plot in the selected
texts
54
4.5
Discussion
59
4.6
Summary
63
65
CHAPTER 5- CONCLUSION
5.0
Chapter overview
65
5.1
Summary
65
5.2 Implications of the findings
67
5.3 Recommendations for future research
68
5.4 Conclusion
68
VI
REFERENCES
71
APPENDICES
75
VII
LIST OF FIGURE
Figure 1
14
Greimas' binary oppositions
viii
ABSTRACT
ANALYSIS OF FIVE TEXTS USING RUSSIAN
FORMALIST FRAMEWORK
Nur Hidayah Bt. Zainul
This study aimed to analyse the plot in relation to the characters found in the selected
texts. The objectives are to unravel the extent to which the plot and characters of the
framework
to
the
texts
conform
used and to investigate how consistent
selected serial
this plot arrangement throughout the texts. The five texts selected for the purpose of
this study were written by Lemony Snicket from The Series of Unfortunate Events.
The texts "Book the Second: The Reptile Room" (1999), "Book the Forth: The
Miserable Mill" (2000), "Book the Sixth: The Ersatz Elevator" (2001), "Book the
Eight: The Hostile Hospital" (2001) and "Book the Tenth: The Slippery Slope"
(2003) are stories that contain the spheres which are the main subject of the analysis.
These spheres; villain, helper, donor, sought-for person, and hero are elaborated in
Russian Formalist framework, the theory in which was applied in conducting the
textual analysis of plot in relation to characters in the study. The findings revealed
that the plots and characters of the texts studied still conform to the framework which
fairy
first
by
Propp
Vladimir
tales even if they do not belong to the same
on
was
used
genre as the fairy tales. Nevertheless, only five spheres were found in the texts
studied suggesting that not all spheres can work in any story. The plot identified is
also consistent throughout the series of texts whereby each of them followed the same
framework.
in
described
the
pattern
ix
ABSTR9K
KAJIAN KE A TAS LIMA TEKS MENGG UNAKAN
TEORI FORMALIS RiIS1A
Nur Hidayah Bt. Zainul
Objekt if kajian ini adalah untuk menyiasat plot sambil mengaitkunnya clengan
karektor yang terdapat di dalam teks-teks yang dignmakan. Kajian ini hertujuan
dalam
di
teks tersebut menyamai plot yang
plot
ada
untuk mengenalpasti sama
diterangkan di dalam teor"i Berta mengetahui sejauh mana plot tersebut konsi. sten di
dalam setiap teks yang dikaji. Lima teks yang dipilih untuk tujuan kujian ini telah
dikarang oleh Lemony Snicket yang diambil daripada ka, ya heliau The Series of
Unfortunate Events. Buku-buku tersebut "Book the Second: The Reptile Room "
(1999), "Book the Forth: The Miserable Mill" (2000), "Book the Stith: The Ersatz
(2001), "Book the Eight: The Hostile Hospital"
Elevator"
(2001) and "Book the
Tenth: The Slippery Slope" (2003) telah memuatkan sifat-sifat karektor yang
kujian
dalam
Sifat-sijat
irri.
karektor
diterangkan
di
ini
utama
subjek
ada
merupakan
dalam teori Formalis Rusia yang digunakan untuk analisa teks hagi menkaji plot
karektor.
dengan
Hasil kujian menunjukkun plot di dalam teksambil mengaitkannya
teks herkenaan nrenyamai plot yang diterangkan di dalam teori tersehrrt yang munu
pada mulanya digunakan oleh Vladimir Propp untuk mengkaji ceritu khuvalan
herlainan
dengan cerilu khuvu/an.
tersebut
teks
genre
yang
memprntvai
walaupun
Namun begitrr, hanya lima sifat-sifut karektor yang telah dikenalpasti dun ini
hahawa
karektor
dapat diaplikasikan di
tidak
tersebut
sifut-sifat
semuu
menunjukkan
.
dalam munu-munu cerita. Plot tersebut juga adalah kon.sislen sepaujang siri tc'k.s-tek.s
.
tersebut dart setiap satrmva menvamui hentuk yang teluh dihincangkun di dulunr teori
yang digunakan.
x
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.0
Chapter
Overview
In this chapter, the background of the study seeks to give basic information
followed
related to the study and
by statement of the problem
which
contains
previous research related to the study and other aspects that are not yet covered which
leads to the purpose of the study. This chapter also presents research objectives,
definitions
the
operational
study,
of
research questions, significance
of the terms and
the scope of the study.
1.1
Background Of The Study
The study of narrative has long been done at various levels which includes
from the smallest level of the sign to a wider aspect of structure. Some even look at
the grammar that underwrites
Looking
and generates narratives
at the narrative requires a consideration
would further help in studying this particular
(Greimas, qtd. in Lye 4).
of two fundamental aspects which
literature text. Knowing
the meaning
LeBihan
64-65)
(Green
in
features
and
could
aid
narrative
us
the
a
of
and
constituent
1
understanding
its nature.
Essentially
in narrative,
a distinction
has been made
between the events that can be said to happen in `real' time and the artistically
is
in
the text presented to the reader (Green and LeBihan
version which
particular
distinction
(Tomashevsky,
treated
64). This
is also known by various terms such as the. fabula and syuzhet
qtd. in Harland
148), histoire
and `story' and `text' (Rimmon-Kenan,
in
Selden
61)
(Ganette,
qtd.
and recit
qtd. in Green and LeBihan 64).
Looking specifically at children literature, there were many studies done by
Knowles
Malmkjaer
(29-34)
the
the
narrative.
and
elements
within
researchers on
talk about the arrangement of events and the readers' prediction about what may
happen in a text including at the level of plot. They argue that if most of the
is
it
by
text
that
the
the
easy and
readers
are
confirmed,
shows
predictions made
identified.
This
be
boring
the
to
and
plot
can
guessed
easily
extent
as
some
perhaps
fact
is
dominance
has
brought
to
the
that
there
of a general cliched
a
us
argument
35-62).
in
books
(Hunt
the
especially
classic children's
pattern of children narrative
This kind of linear plotline gives emphasis on the 'closedness' of the text that keeps
This
besides
idealized
framework
fixed
the
one.
making
whole story an
to the
idealized story is normally belongs to classical genres such as an epic and fairy tales
166)
(Sax
towards
the
and
the
of
story
works
conclusiveness
whole concept
where
for
the
this
a real continuation as happened in reality.
thus,
potential
rejects
In contrast
writings
to the pattern of classic children
different
a
contain
way of portraying
books, Edward
Lear's prose
the story. He presents the readers with
it
but
develops,
then
texts
the
as
event after event,
story gradually
seemingly sensible
enters the phase where most of the things go against the reader's expectations
finally
end in ways that usually contradict
and
the premises from which the story had
in
from
first
20).
Apart
in
(Sala
that,
the
place
some parts of the world,
moved
fbr
is influenced
by
instance in Turkey,
the plot arrangement of the children
external factors such as the military
coup especially
2
narrative
in 1980 (Erdogan 9). The plot
therefore, was set up in a way that the superior forces was destroyed by those who
were more inferior and this type of plot was commonly used at that particular time.
The study of literary
structuralism
Ferdinand de Saussure in which
the language
the emphasis is on the literary
structure rather than social or historical
clear distinction
begins with
theories
of
form such as the
content (Selden 52-56). In structuralism,
a
has been made between langue and parole where the former refers to
the social aspect of the language that is the shared system of rules that governs
utterances while the latter relates to the actual utterances or the particular occurrence
language.
in
Saussure
that
the
argues
also
analyzing this shared system, it requires
of
a thorough study at the relationship
be done within
Schleifer
among the elements of language and this has to
its systemic framework
as suggested by Roman Jakobson (Davis &
122-124). The discussion of Saussure's works leads us to the core of this
framework
look
is
this
to
that
systemic
at
study
Russian Formalist
that is the structure pattern, from the
Here, this particular
viewpoint.
theory concerns with relationship
between the forms and how they are seen. It is from the concept of ostranenie
defamiliarisation
where this particular
relationship
or
is emerged and it is primarily
developed by one of the Formalists, Victor Shklovsky.
1.2
Statement Of Problem
Research on plot especially in children literature suggests there is a demand of
`normal'
existence of the object which requires that they must become to some extent
`automatised'.
This
happen in narrative
somehow
writing
to the regular
conforms
expectations
where the plot of the story fulfills
that always
the expectation
of
having
it
instead
the other way around (Selden 9). Most studies however,
of
readers
have been conducted on individual
fiction
it
be
adult
serial
text as in a novel or a story that is not published in
or children
narrative.
Little
is known
it
comes to serial fiction of children literature.
especially when
3
of plotline
study
While
remarkably
the study of pattern in stories proves that the structure has remained
in
include
however
does
(Sax
166),
the
this
the
plot
not
years
stable over
serial fiction.
In most previous
frameworks
various
studies related to the structure of literature
have been utilized
in analysing
the plot and this includes the
However, the function of the characters
frameworks proposed by Russian Formalists.
in the serial story is not thoroughly
dealt although they contribute
in developing
framework
is
Russian
Formalist
issue
One
to
this
to
consider
address
plot.
way
by
Vladimir
proposed
was
different
characters
texts,
Propp as it describes the different
in the story and this allows
functions
for a thorough
the
which
served by
look at how the
in
build
the serial story.
the
plot
up
characters
Based on the functions
provide
information
contributes
served by the characters in the books, it helps to
development
the
on
of plot
in the selected texts and thus
to the study which aimed to analyse the plot of the selected texts using
Russian Formalist framework.
1.3
Research objectives
The focus of this study was on the arrangement of the plot in relation to the
Russian
Formalism.
from
Therefore,
the objectives
the
of
perspective
characterisation
of this study are:
1. To investigate the extent to which the plot and characters of the selected texts
Formalism
Theory.
Russian
to
conform
2. To find out the consistencies of this arrangement of plot in the selected texts.
4
1.4
Research Questions
Corresponding to the objectives of the research are the four research
questions:
1. How the characters are portrayed in the texts?
2. How these characters help to develop the plot?
3. How the plot and characters studied conform to Russian Formalist framework?
4. What are the consistencies of this arrangement of plot in the selected texts?
1.5
Significance Of The Study
The findings gathered from this study are essential particularly in the area of
Russian Formalist literary criticism as it may add to the related body of research
through the presentation of certain aspects which may have not been thoroughly
covered in the previous studies related to the theory of Russian Formalism. The
aspects which include a detailed analysis of the plot of the texts could help in
identifying the patterns related to the theory besides clarifying how they are arranged
in the texts. In fact, the study also included the analysis of main characters that help
in developing the plot where Russian Formalist framework was used to carry out this
analysis.
The findings of this study may also act as a basis and reference fbr researchers
who intend to further their studies in the area of Structuralism since it relates to
Russian Formalism in the sense that both theories attempt to look at the structure of'
literature text in general. The findings could provide readers with information that
in
how
interrelated
how
two
theories
these
they
are
shows
affect one another any
and
way. Besides, the used of selected texts in the study allows for the fulfillment of the
5
objectives and research questions through the analysis of the recurring general pattern
in each of the book. This is one of the main criteria
study besides representing
finding
the serial fictions
thus enables to highlight
written
the development
for the texts to be used in the
within
children
literature.
The
of plot in the texts as the story
progresses.
1.6
Operational Definitions Of The Terms
1.6.1
Structuralism
Structuralism
is a modern literary
theory that looks at the way of thinking
is
the
mainly concerned with the perceptions
world
about
which
structures
(Siegel
10). Structuralist,
and description
Saussure stresses that each element
language could not stand on its own and thus all elements involved
of the
in that specific
in
it
have
be
(Harland
to
to
order
make
sense
of
considered
out
situation
Besides, most of structuralist
of
135-137).
studies tend to be textual analysis (Chandler 6) where
there is a need for a close examination
of the text because the theory beliefs that any
it
is
be
into
its original
unless
perceived
placed
or
element cannot
unit
structure of
done
in
forms
it
this study.
this
what
was
a part and
which
1.6.2
Russian Formalism
This is another modem literary theory that generally looks at the pattern or the
form of a literary text. It treats literature more as a group of literary devices and
investigates the relationship among the smaller parts in literature text (Holcombe 5).
The theory also considers literature as a system where each and every component in it
function
in making up the whole text and this is where it came out with
its
plays
own
the distinction between the story (Russian .sju. hct) and its telling (Jithulu ) (Pateman
15).
6
For Russian formalism,
meaningful
the literary text is an autonomous
system of language rules) and parole
influenced
Russian
formalists
(the individual
and their
view
an individual
entity that articulated
selfcontained
Saussure's concept of langue (the general
to social history.
connection
structure with no
utterance)
of the literary
had significantly
text as a unified,
artistic consciousness rather than a
look
The
166-194).
in
Paton
(qtd.
to
therefore,
attempted
study
social consciousness
in
in
helps
the selected texts.
the
that
unified
entity
up
making
at every element
1.6.3
Plot
Plotting
is a way of looking
in
deciding
besides
basis
things
serving as a
at
importantness
its
before
the
the
is
important
through
major events
way
showing
what
story are constructed
of a particular
show things
mattering
where
is
It
to
each
other.
also a way to
and connected
in general sense, it is not just
but
happens,
what
(Dibell
incidents
that
they
how
the
make
patterns
and
the
presented
are
precisely
For the Russian Formalists
interchangeably
6).
as a whole, the plot or structure (both teens are used
in the study) is what makes something art, so in order to understand a
form.
its
focus
on
work of art as a work of art one must
1.7
Scope Of The Study
The study attempted to look at the extent to which the plot in the selected
books of Lemony
Formalist
thoroughly
viewpoint.
Snicket's
A Series of' Unfortunate
The portrayal
Events conforms
to Russian
how
build
the plot were
they
and
of characters
The
by
Propp.
functions
selected
the
proposed
or spheres
analysed using
Forth:
Rooni,
Book
The
Reptile
Book
Second:
the
the
texts of the series are
Miserable
Hospital
Mill,
Book the Sixth:
The Ersaty Elevator,
Slippen'
Tenth:
The
Book
the
and
The Ilostile
Slope. Since there are a few characters
that reappear in every text, each of them was carefully
7
Book the Eight:
The
analysed as their portrayal
in
the texts is crucial in making up the structure of the story. Besides, the study also
looked at the consistencies of this plot throughout the selected texts since they are
fictions.
serial
The analysis of the meaning that can be inferred from the pattern found in the
books was therefore not covered as the study only concerned with the consistency of
the pattern in the texts. Besides, the analysis of the characters only revolved around
four
includes
framework
in
Propp's
described
this
and
the seven character roles as
in
Count
Olaf
Baudelaire
all the
and
who
appear
three
orphans
main characters,
in
be
different
that
turn
to
people
out
selected series as well as other characters
different books. Other character roles which are not in the list of Propp's seven
have
been
In
the
that
addition,
aspects
spheres of actions thus were not studied.
literary
theory
not
presented
using
other
were
above
analysed as elaborated
frameworks.
1.8
Chapter Review
This chapter has discussed the main purpose of the study that is to look at how
the plot (structure pattern) in the selected texts are arranged and portrayed
extent to which
this pattern conforms
background
the
presents
chapter also
research objectives,
operational
definitions
give a review
the research
to the Russian Formalist
viewpoint.
of' the study, the statement of' problem,
questions,
the significance
of key terms and scope of the study.
literatures
of related
and the
concerning
pattern in literature.
8
of' the study,
This
the
the
The next chapter will
the study of' plot or the structure
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0
Chapter
Overview
The early section of this chapter gives a detailed review of the studies done on
fairy
The
Propp's
Vladimir
includes
tales.
work
on
children narrative which
Russian
Formalism
include
the
on narrative where
of
views
succeeding part would
is
is
This
then
the
focus
is
plot
and
structure.
the
on the mechanical aspect which
followed by the discussion on structural pattern of narrative where all major
frameworks that look at the structure of narrative would be dealt in details. This part
in
framework
incorporate
Propp's
that
includes
the review of previous studies
also
the analysis of plot.
2.1
Children
At
first
Narrative
is
it
truth
the
universally
seems
glance,
acknowledged, the
juxtaposition of children and 'live happily ever after' is a wondrous thing and is most
Most
in
of children's
narrative.
children
welcomed
books typically
extol the
books
And
this
happy
more
of
now,
until
towards
up
ending.
of
working
advantages
9
kind are kept coming in as to maintain and fulfill the expectations of young readers of
children's narrative.
Looking
back at the fairy tales that fill with prince, princess, magic, witches
and even fairies, they all have almost the same storyline
hero facing
and later fighting
a conflict
with
that usually begins with a
the villain
before
re-establishing
harmony and achieving dreams of happy ending. These narratives are written
more or less the same structure
Propp in his well-known
of the Folktale (1968) that most plotlines
research The Morphology
tales endure so-called
by
Vladimir
as argued
`conventions'
using
lied behind fairy
is
basically
the
sequence of events
where
the
The
is
153-226).
in
for
fairy
Harland
(qtd.
tales
structure
of
earlier
narratives
all
same
mostly fixed to the conventions.
Even in Turkey before Second World War, most of
for children
novels and stories written
heroes
in
which
were either local
appeared
for
fight
boy
their nation or city, gaining victory at the
who
warriors or poor village
end and this somehow
of basic fairy
assumed the structure
Nevertheless the sequence may not be applied to later literary
tales (Erdogan
7).
fairy tales due to the
in
them.
sequence of events
ever-changing
From the structure of children narrative then leads to the study of characters
that are crucial
story would
Referring
in building
carry different
the plot of the narrative
function
or same
since different
in the development
character in the
of' the storyline.
to Propp's seven spheres characters as found in the fairy tales, it clearly
shows that each character identified
plays his or her role efficiently
and brings the
&
LeBihan
66-68).
is
(Green
the
that
towards
ending
expected
story
2.2
Russian Formalism
Theory
On Narrative
A range of aspects in narrative have been the main subjects of many research
helps
in
literature
field.
An
to
text
not
only
particular
analysis of a
especially
10
highlight the linguistic characteristics of the story which is thought to be best done by
the linguist, but also many sociological issues that lie behind all those lines. This
sociological information which can also be considered as the basic of narrative can be
gathered through a thorough study on the story (Franzosi 519). Essentially in
narrative, a distinction has been made between the events that can be said to happen
in `real' time and the artistically treated version which is in the text presented to the
distinction
is
(Green
For
Formalists,
LeBihan
64).
this
particular
reader
and
also
known by various terms such as the Tabula and syuzhet (Tomashevsky, qtd. in
Harland 148), histoire and recit (Genette, qtd. in Selden 12) and `story' and `text'
(Rimmon-Kenan, qtd. in Green and LeBihan 64).
The story or rather defined as the chronological
important
role in narrative
succession of events plays an
as it implies a change in situations
as presented by the
Each
in
520).
(Franzosi
through
the
narrative
ofthe
author
sequence of events
into
bring
the telling of
that
the
to
each
can
effects
maximize
as
is treated artistically
the whole
in
When
the
particular
events are arranged
story.
this would bring us to the plot of narrative
as in introduction,
the simplest
(Selden
crisis,
climax
orders, making
used
embedding and joining,
various techniques in their sequencing such as enchainment,
from
actions
12). The plot itself may range
and resolution
to the more
included
turns
to produce narratives that
twists
are
and
ones where many
complicated
call for a close reading in for a better understanding of the texts.
Many studies by renowned researchers such as Todorov
(1981) and Rimmon-
Kenan (1983) have been done at this level especially on the use of such sequencing
techniques within
variety
for
The
in
Franzosi
520).
(qtd.
techniques
a
allow
narrative
used
of structures
production
to be incorporated
in the narratives
of more diverse genres of writings.
are written in different
the universal
which
However, different
then increase the
kinds of narrative
is
White
(1978)
that
set according to
narrative
ways as
argues
psychological
into
different
need
11
structures
which
then leads to
`textuality' (qtd. in Brendle 444-445). He makes a distinction between the writings
produced by an author and a historian where the way they deal with the fact is
different from one another. For him, an author is rather seen as the inventor of
fictional story while a historian plays with the facts which create true stories.
Continuing the discussion he says that some of literature elements namely metaphor,
metonym, synecdoche and irony are included by the author in the ordering of
narrative making the story less different from the ordering of factual events imposed
by historian and these orders help make up the plot.
The plot of narrative can assume a great deal of structure and this depends on
the genre in which it is written. Nevertheless, the form may remain unchanged even
though its content changes as evident
in the Propp's classic analysis of lhlktales
(Propp, qtd. in Harland 153-155). In his study, Propp also proposes the term 'spaces'
as to represent the organization
of narrative structure.
The topic
The articulation
of these spaces is organized as fullows:
The
"'t'here"
"Were".
is
is
the
the
space
space of actual circumstances,
the heterotopic space and the idealized space is the i topic- space. The
he,
different
"modalities"
is
to want or to
to
to
ofaction:
space
related
wish, to have willpower, and to do.
(qtd. in Quallenberg 278)
In essence,these `spaces' can as well be equated to the two stable states - equilibrium
and disequilibrium - of narrative and this agreed by Greirnas (1970) who is one of
Propp's followers (qtd. in Quallenberg 278-279). The topic space is basically where
the subject of the story takes action and this is followed by the heterotopic space
which usually contains conflict as the effect of the action befbre coming to the utopic
space where the subject regains the state of harmony which was lost during the
heterotopic space. This soft of arrangement is thus seen to fit into the narrative states
of equilibrium-disequilibrium-equilibrium
278-279).
in
(Quallenherg
tales
especially
12
There is however a slight difference between these `spaces' and basic narrative form
proposed by Green & LeBihan (65). They suggest that the form can also be described
as:
[state] x... [event] y... [state] z where z inverts x.
This form can usually be found in tales and there is of course a need to consider
characters and their functions in the narrative in order to really see the ordering of
events since the basic form and the `spaces' described above may as well be affected
by other elements of the narrative itself.
2.3
Structural Pattern Of Narrative
Structure
available
of a narrative
especially
the ones proposed
purposes of this particular
frameworks
within
can be examined
using any of the frameworks
by Russian Formalists.
Since one of' the
theory is to look at the structure of literature
the theory are therefore appropriate
structure of a text. Different
narrative may be written
followed
have
structure although some would
texts, the
to be used in analysing the
differently
especially
on its
the same pattern just like fairy tales
(Propp, qtd. in Bruner 696).
One of the common frameworks
study of narrative
Greimas whom
narratives'
used by many researchers previously
at the grammar level as started by the structural semanticist A. J.
is more concerned with how 'social
(Green & LeBihan
63). In his work,
in
interested
the relevance of narratology
also
being is constructed
a semantic
structure is applied with an aim to arrive the 'universal'
the narratology
is the
through
analysis of' sentence
grammar of narrative. He is
to experiences and therefore applied
models to phenomena that are not so into the structural rules as what
13
There is however a slight difference between these `spaces' and basic narrative form
proposed by Green & LeBihan (65). They suggest that the form can also be described
as:
[state] x... [event] y... [state] z where z inverts x.
This form can usually be found in tales and there is of course a need to consider
characters and their functions in the narrative in order to really see the ordering of
events since the basic form and the `spaces' described above may as well be affected
by other elements of the narrative itself.
2.3
Structural Pattern Of Narrative
Structure
available
of a narrative
especially
the ones proposed by Russian Formalists.
purposes of this particular
frameworks
within
using any of the frameworks
can be examined
theory is to look at the structure of' literature
the theory are therefore appropriate
structure of a text. Different
Since one of the
narrative may be written
structure although some would have followed
texts, the
to be used in analysing the
differently
especially
on its
the same pattern just like fairy tales
(Propp, qtd. in Bruner 696).
One of the common
study of narrative
Greimas whom
narratives'
frameworks
used by many researchers previously
at the grammar level as started by the structural
is more concerned with how 'social
(Green & LeBihan
63). In his work,
structure is applied with an aim to arrive the 'universal'
also interested in the relevance of narratology
the narratology
semanticist A. J.
being is constructed
a semantic
is the
through
analysis of sentence
grammar of narrative. He is
to experiences and therefore applied
models to phenomena that are not so into the structural rules as what
13
he does in The Semiotics of Passions (qtd. in Felluga "Greimas" 1). He proposed
three pairs of `binary oppositions' that includes six roles or rather known as actants:
sender
helper
object
-i
subject
r+etefver
+
opponent
Figure 1: Greimas' binary oppositions
(Kati lius-Boyd stun 23)
The framework shows that there are two simultaneous movements which
specify that the model works in two ways: to communicate and modify the subject.
The object is also known as knowledge and thus the upper level of the framework
represents the structure of the basic communication situation in which it starts from
the sender conveying message to the receiver (Katilius-Boydstun
23-24). The two
be
by
hand,
the
an analogy of which the
can
represented
other
movements on
from
is
the
transferring
one side to another while the
a
story
of
communication
modification is the changes that took place in that process. Apart from that, the model
can also be arranged in pairs: subject/object, sender/receiver and helper/ opponent
(Selden 59). These pairs basically explain three patterns which may reappear in all
first
described
by
desire,
The
be
the
the
pattern
would
or
narrative.
search
aim as
is
by
The
is
the
pair.
second
pattern
elaborated
communication
subject/object
which
the sender/receiver pair while the last pattern, auxiliary support or hindrance is
described by the helper/opponent pair.
This particular framework has been applied in the study of' Sophocles'
Oedipus the King and the finding claims that the analysis was better and more
he
Greimas
Propp's
framework
However,
59).
(Selden
than
can
when
using
specific
interested
in
be
to
the analysis of the universal `grammar' of narrative and
more
seen
14